Adjustable support beam

ABSTRACT

A support beam consisting of two telescopically interfitting tubular rods provided with an adjusting and locking device wherein the outer rod carries a support collar with opposite lateral extensions and the inner rod carries two sleeves, the upper sleeve being inclined and having opposite horizontal extensions engaged on their outer end by the lateral extensions of the support collar to exert a pressure on this sleeve causing pivoting movement therein to bear against the inner rod in a locking manner, the second sleeve having conventional means to lock it in position on the inner rod.

United States Patent Meriz [54] ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT BEAM [72] Inventor:Miquel Casas Meriz, Calle Zaragoza, ll-4D, Huesca, Spain [22] Filed:Sept. 16, 1970 21] Appl. No.: 72,654

301 Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 17, 1969 Spain ..151849Sept. 17, 1969 Spain ..151850 [52] US. Cl. ..248/354 L [51] Int. Cl..E04g 25/08 [58] Field of Search ..248/354 C, 354 L, 410

[56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 358,225 12/1961Switzerland ..248/354C Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz Attorney-JohnJ. Dennemeyer [57] ABSTRACT A support beam consisting of twotelescopically interfitting tubular rods provided with an adjusting andlocking device wherein the outer rod carries a support collar withopposite lateral extensions and the inner rod carries two sleeves, theupper sleeve being inclined and having opposite horizontal extensionsengaged on their outer end by the lateral extensions of the supportcollar to exert a pressure on this sleeve causing pivoting movementtherein to bear against the inner rod in a locking manner, the secondsleeve having conventional means to lock it in position on the innerrod.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures l I I l I r ,2 1' 1 I 1 3 i 5 4 I 17 5 22-\ja EN 2 73 75 I40 A l 73 15 g/ 74 PA'TENTEB W21 I972 3.703, 269

sum 2 OF 2 FIG. 3. 1a

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT BEAM The present invention relates to an adjustablesupport beam or prop for supporting ceiling, wall and frame structuresof the type generally used in the construction of buildings.

The support beam according to the invention comprises two tubulartelescopically interfitting rods wherein the inner rod is slidablyreceived in the outer rod and a device for adjusting and maintaining theposition of the rods relative to each other in setting the desiredheight of the beam. This device consists basically of a collar welded tothe outer rod and of two sleeves which are slideably mounted over theinner rod.

It has been the practice to use generally wooden beams to support theframe work in pouring concrete floors or shoring up ceilings or walls,and their height was adjusted by placing blocks or the like under thebeam or one used telescopically arranged iron or steel maintained in themanner described above by means of pins inserted through holes in therods permit only a fixed step-wise height adjustment wherein theselected height often does not correspond with the desired height orlevel so that in addition wooden blocks or other auxiliary means must beused.

The known beams provided with screw devices for adjusting the height ofthe beam permit a gradual adjustment of the height but they have thedisadvantage that they tend to accumulate rust so that the screw can beturned frequently only by applying considerable force and expending anexcessive amount of time.

The present invention concerns a device which provides a gradual orstepless adjustment of the height without the need of a screwarrangement. The structural simplicity and working precision of thebeams according to the invention permit a saving of maintenance andtime. The handling and operation of the new beams is extremely simpleand requires no trained workers.

The novel features and advantages of the invention will further appearfrom the following description made in reference to the accompanyingdrawing and showing an embodiment of the present invention incombination with a triangular top support fixed to the vertical supportbeam of the present invention. It will be understand that the triangulartop support is an auxiliary means which may be used in combination withthe vertical beam support. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the vertical support beam according to theinvention in combination with the auxiliary triangular top support.

FIG. 2 represents the direction of the active force in the upper sleeveduring the supporting action of the beam or during transporting of thebeam.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an application of the novel beam with andwithout the triangular top support.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a cross-section through the novel beamalong the line A-B in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows the triangular top support.

FIG. 6 shows on a larger scale a cross-section along line IIIIII of FIG.5.

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawing the support beam according tothe invention consists of an inner rod or base elementl which isreceived in the outer rod 2 of larger diameter in a telescopic manner. Acircular flange or protective hood 3 is attached to the lower part ofrod 2 as by welding in order to prevent a soiling of the adjustingdevice by dust particles, cement, mortar or the like.

This adjusting device consists of a collar 4 which is preferably weldedto the lower end of the rod 2 and which presents at one side a supportextension 5 which.

is provided with two spaced downwardly directed guide extensions 6.Opposite these extensions 5 and 6 an additional support extension 17 isprovided which terminates into a downwardly and inwardly directedextension 16.

Two sleeves 8 and 9 are slidably mounted around the inner rod 1. Thesleeve 8 is inclined and presents two oppositely disposed horizontalextensions 7 and 12. The extension 12 serves to lock the beam in theworking position by means of the guides 6 on the collar 4 which receivethe extension 12 so that the sleeve is at all times in the correctposition and permits the effect of one of the two directional forcesshown in FIG. 2.

During lifting or transporting of the beam the extension 16 of collar 4bears against the extension 7 of sleeve 8 to exert a force which isopposite to the force described above and causes a locking of the tworods. The extension 7 also assists in setting the correct position ofthe guides 6 and prevents a release or sliding of the extension 12 outof the guides 6 of the collar 2. The lower sleeve 9 has a lateralgrooved extension 14 directed slightly upwardly under the extension 12of -sleeve 8. This sleeve has at one side a threaded hole with a settingscrew 21. The beam has at its lower end a base plate 11 and at its upperend a bearing support 10. The rods 1 and 2 have at their opposite endsinner and outer side collars 22 which avoid an excessive amount of playand confer the required rigidity to thebeam. They also facilitate thesliding action when the contact surface between the rods 1 and 2 becomessmaller and prevent a separation of the two rods 1 and 2 upon pullingthem apart. The lever 13 placed on the extension 7 of the sleeve 8 mayalso be extended by means of a tubular extension piece 15. Holes 19 areprovided in the bearing support 10 for securing'the beam by means ofpins or the like to the frame work to be carried by the beam. The upperrod 2 is provided also under the plate 10 at a suitable distance with awelded sleeve 24 which has upwardly inclined extensions 25 for anchoringthe beam in combination with the outwardly inclined stays 28 of thetriangular support. This support consists of the two lateral stays 28and the horizontal bar 27 which constitutes a bearing surface. The freeends of the lateral stays 28 project into the extensions 25 of thesleeve 24 around rod 2 and thus impart strength to the unit. Thehorizontal bar 27 is provided with pins 29 which fit into the holes 19.

On each side of the pins 29 a slide bushing 26 is provided whichpresents on the upper side an extension 31 which has one or more holes30 in order to attach the bar to the frame work and thus prevents afalling of the beam. The beam is generally used as shown in FIG. 3.

In the supporting position of the beam the weight of the rod 2 bearsfully on the extension 5 of support collar 4 which thus communicates itspressure effect on the extension 12 of the sleeve 8. Due to this effectthe sleeve 8 is tilted relative to its perpendicular axis and is wedgedby this tilting effect and pressure against the rod 1. To adjust thelevel of the beam a force must be exerted with the fingers or some othermeans at the underside of the extension 12 of the sleeve 8 in an upwarddirection. By this force the sleeve 8 is moved into a vertical positionand slides along the rod 1 to the desired height. As soon as the upwardforce on the underside of extension 12 of sleeve 8 stops the weight isagain transferred over the collar 4 on the extension 12 of sleeve 8 andanchors the beam again in the manner described above.

In order to securely set the beam the sleeve 9 is moved against theunderside of sleeve 8. Thereupon the lever 13 is applied into the groove14a of the extensions 14 of the sleeve 9 in order to exert a forcethrough lever 13 on the underside of extension 12 of sleeve 8.

Due to the effect of this lever this force is much higher than the forceexerted previously by means of the fingers. With this action the sleeve9 is moved from the vertical position and is wedged against the rod 1and after the lever is removed or released the sleeve 9 moves again intothe vertical position and may slide along the rod 1 in either direction.

As soon as the beam is securely set in place the safety screw 21 isscrewed strongly against the rod 1. In this manner the device is lockedand the sleeve 9 serves as holding safety. In order to collapse the beamthe safety screw 21 is released so that the sleeve 9 may slidedownwardly. By a force on the lever 13 between the extension 7 of sleeve8 and the extension 17 of the collar 4 the sleeve 8 assumes again itsvertical position and slides downwardly.

For transporting the beams one takes hold of the rod 2 and the extension16 of the collar 4 acts on the extension 7 of the sleeve 8 whereby thesleeve is locked this time to the rod 1 by a force which is opposite tothat described above.

The triangular support is secured to the beam by placing it on the rod 2and sliding it downward until the free ends 28 wedge between the rod 2and the extensions 25 of the collar 24. The pins 29 are simultaneouslyinserted into the holes 19 of the plate and bushings 26 are moved untilthey correspond with the holes provided in the structure to be supportedso that this structure may be secured to the beam.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable support beam comprising two telescopically arrangedtubular rods wherein an inner rod (1) is'received telescopically in anouter rod (2) in sliding relationship, and an adjusting and lockingdevice for fixing the rods in position relative to each other, saiddevice consisting of a support collar (4) secured to said other red (2),and of an upper sleeve (8) and a lower sleeve (9) mounted for slidingmovement along said inner rod (1), said support collar (4) havingopposite extensions (5,17), said upper sleeve (8) having an inclinedconfiguration with opposite extensions (7,12) said lower sleeve (9)having means to lock it on said inner rod whereby said extension (5) ofsaid support collar bears in the supporting position of said adjustablebeam on the outer extremity of said extension (12) on said upper sleeveto generate a pivotin action to lock said upper sleeve on said innerrod, sat extension (17) on said support collar (4) having a portion (16)projecting inwardly under said extension (7) on said upper sleeve (8),said portion (16) engaging said extension (7 during lifting of said beamto pivot said sleeve (8) and lock it against said inner rod (1).

2. An adjustable support according to claim 1 wherein said lower sleeve(9) has an extension (14) directed upwardly toward said extension (12)on said upper sleeve (8), said-extension (14) having a groove in itsupper face for lodging a lever means to bear against said extension (12)for pivoting said lower sleeve to lock against said inner rod.

3. An adjustable support according to claim 2 wherein said extension (5)consists of two spaced downwardly directed fingers (6) for receivingtherebetween said extension (12) of said upper sleeve (8) to preventrotational movement of said upper sleeve.

4. An adjustable support according to claim 3 wherein a circular hood isfixed to said outer rod (2) above said collar (4) to prevent soiling ofsaid adjusting and locking device by dirt particles dropping along saidbeam.

5. An adjustable support according to claim 4 wherein a ring member isfixed to the outer end of said inner rod (1) and to the inner end ofsaid outer rod (2) to prevent separation of said rods.

6. An adjustable support according to claim 5 comprising a collar (24)fixed to the upper end of said outer rod provided with upwardly andoutwardly directed extensions (25) and a triangular support consistingof a horizontal top bar connected at each extremity to two downwardlyand inwardly directed stays, the free ends of said stays engaging behindsaid extensions (25) on said collar (24).

7. An adjustable support beam according to claim 6

1. An adjustable support beam comprising two telescopically arrangedtubular rods wherein an inner rod (1) is received telescopically in anouter rod (2) in sliding relationship, and an adjusting and lockingdevice for fixing the rods in position relative to each other, saiddevice consisting of a support collar (4) secured to said other rod (2),and of an upper sleeve (8) and a lower sleeve (9) mounted for slidingmovement along said inner rod (1), said support collar (4) havingopposite extensions (5,17), said upper sleeve (8) having an inclinedconfiguration with opposite extensions (7,12) said lower sleeve (9)having means to lock it on said inner rod whereby said extension (5) ofsaid support collar bears in the supporting position of said adjustablebeam on the outer extremity of said extension (12) on said upper sleeveto generate a pivoting action to lock said upper sleeve on said innerrod, said extension (17) on said support collar (4) having a portion(16) projecting inwardly under said extension (7) on said upper sleeve(8), said portion (16) engaging said extension (7) during lifting ofsaid beam to pivot said sleeve (8) and lock it against said inner rod(1).
 1. An adjustable support beam comprising two telescopicallyarranged tubular rods wherein an inner rod (1) is receivedtelescopically in an outer rod (2) in sliding relationship, and anadjusting and locking device for fixing the rods in position relative toeach other, said device consisting of a support collar (4) secured tosaid other rod (2), and of an upper sleeve (8) and a lower sleeve (9)mounted for sliding movement along said inner rod (1), said supportcollar (4) having opposite extensions (5,17), said upper sleeve (8)having an inclined configuration with opposite extensions (7,12) saidlower sleeve (9) having means to lock it on said inner rod whereby saidextension (5) of said support collar bears in the supporting position ofsaid adjustable beam on the outer extremity of said extension (12) onsaid upper sleeve to generate a pivoting action to lock said uppersleeve on said inner rod, said extension (17) on said support collar (4)having a portion (16) projecting inwardly under said extension (7) onsaid upper sleeve (8), said portion (16) engaging said extension (7)during lifting of said beam to pivot said sleeve (8) and lock it againstsaid inner rod (1).
 2. An adjustable support according to claim 1wherein said lower sleeve (9) has an extension (14) directed upwardlytoward said extension (12) on said upper sleeve (8), said extension (14)having a groove in its upper face for lodging a lever means to bearagainst said extension (12) for pivoting said lower sleeve to lockagainst said inner rod.
 3. An adjustable support according to claim 2wherein said extension (5) consists of two spaced downwardly directedfingers (6) for receiving therebetween said extension (12) of said uppersleeve (8) to prevent rotational movement of said upper sleeve.
 4. Anadjustable support according to claim 3 wherein a circular Hood is fixedto said outer rod (2) above said collar (4) to prevent soiling of saidadjusting and locking device by dirt particles dropping along said beam.5. An adjustable support according to claim 4 wherein a ring member isfixed to the outer end of said inner rod (1) and to the inner end ofsaid outer rod (2) to prevent separation of said rods.
 6. An adjustablesupport according to claim 5 comprising a collar (24) fixed to the upperend of said outer rod provided with upwardly and outwardly directedextensions (25) and a triangular support consisting of a horizontal topbar connected at each extremity to two downwardly and inwardly directedstays, the free ends of said stays engaging behind said extensions (25)on said collar (24).